Managing Director, Institutional Communications

A strong leader and manager, the Managing Director, Institutional Communications, is responsible for maintaining, building, and strengthening the College's profile and extending its reputation among external audiences locally, nationally, and internationally. Overseeing the College's institutional communications activities, this individual is responsible for the promotion of thought leadership, the creation and dissemination of new content, and the cultivation of relationships that lead to greater awareness of, and engagement with, Babson on the part of the opinion leader community (media, government, academics, and corporate leaders). The Managing Director also manages crisis communications and strategic internal communications. Leads a team of marketing professionals that has a direct impact on Babson branded events.

Lead communications strategy and execution for proactive and reactive institutional communications, media relations, and crisis communications.

Develop, execute, and continuously optimize an institutional communications plan designed to build the awareness and reputation of Babson. To include target audiences, positioning, key messages and claims, media channels and content, associated calendar of activity, and key performance indicators.

Present and publish results, including key metrics and analytics, formally to the Chief Marketing Officer and other stakeholders on a monthly basis.

Provide strategic planning and daily oversight to direct reports to ensure all efforts tie to the aforementioned plan and institutional positioning and are well-coordinated (integrated with the work of the College Marketing team at large and the President's Office), organized, executed, and measured for iterative planning.

Oversee the identification and cultivation of Babson faculty and administrative leaders to build Babson reputation on their thought leadership with opinion influencers; set the strategy to package and disseminate academic research as part of overall plan to build institutional awareness and reputation with the opinion leader community.

Oversee internal public relations team to drive and maximize earned media results.

Directly supervise the work of external public relations agencies who work in support of Babson's efforts including agency of record and international affiliates to extend the impact and reach of efforts.

Cultivate relationships with key alumni, friends, and partners of the College who can help expand the reach of earned media efforts in international markets important to the advancement of the College's Centennial Strategy.

Lead the creation and execution of comprehensive communications plans for strategic initiatives in new markets.

Partner closely with the Associate Director, Advancement Communications to ensure those individuals who provide the greatest philanthropic support to the College receive advance knowledge of key announcements and coverage as appropriate. Create and execute the communication plans for promoting the College's giving campaigns and announcing significant gifts working in collaboration with gift officers, donors and foundations, and the leaders on campus who benefit from the gifts.

Lead communications for signature, reputation-building Babson events (i.e. The Academy of Distinguished Entrepreneurs and events related to the College's centennial in 2019) as well as identify opportunities to host and/or sponsor significant publicity-driving and reputation-building events that tie to the institutional positioning; conceptualize program content, connect opinion leaders to Babson, and partner with our events management staff to execute needed logistics including the creation of pre-, in-, and post-event materials.

Serve as a member of the College's Crisis Response Team, execute communications needed as a result of incidents that could potentially harm the institution's people, campus, and/or brand—help set and execute the strategy to communicate with both internal and external stakeholders.

Support strategic internal communications designed to aid change management and cultivate community engagement. Provide the internal Babson community with messaging points and needed marketing materials.

Assume additional responsibilities as required.

Supervises:

Director, Public Relations Manager, Communications

Key Responsibilities:

Lead communications strategy and execution for proactive and reactive institutional communications, media relations, and crisis communications.

Develop, execute, and continuously optimize an institutional communications plan designed to build the awareness and reputation of Babson. To include target audiences, positioning, key messages and claims, media channels and content, associated calendar of activity, and key performance indicators.

Present and publish results, including key metrics and analytics, formally to the Chief Marketing Officer and other stakeholders on a monthly basis.

Provide strategic planning and daily oversight to direct reports to ensure all efforts tie to the aforementioned plan and institutional positioning and are well-coordinated (integrated with the work of the College Marketing team at large and the President's Office), organized, executed, and measured for iterative planning.

Oversee the identification and cultivation of Babson faculty and administrative leaders to build Babson reputation on their thought leadership with opinion influencers; set the strategy to package and disseminate academic research as part of overall plan to build institutional awareness and reputation with the opinion leader community.

Oversee internal public relations team to drive and maximize earned media results.

Directly supervise the work of external public relations agencies who work in support of Babson's efforts including agency of record and international affiliates to extend the impact and reach of efforts.

Cultivate relationships with key alumni, friends, and partners of the College who can help expand the reach of earned media efforts in international markets important to the advancement of the College's Centennial Strategy.

Lead the creation and execution of comprehensive communications plans for strategic initiatives in new markets.

Partner closely with the Associate Director, Advancement Communications to ensure those individuals who provide the greatest philanthropic support to the College receive advance knowledge of key announcements and coverage as appropriate. Create and execute the communication plans for promoting the College's giving campaigns and announcing significant gifts working in collaboration with gift officers, donors and foundations, and the leaders on campus who benefit from the gifts.

Lead communications for signature, reputation-building Babson events (i.e. The Academy of Distinguished Entrepreneurs and events related to the College's centennial in 2019) as well as identify opportunities to host and/or sponsor significant publicity-driving and reputation-building events that tie to the institutional positioning; conceptualize program content, connect opinion leaders to Babson, and partner with our events management staff to execute needed logistics including the creation of pre-, in-, and post-event materials.

Serve as a member of the College's Crisis Response Team, execute communications needed as a result of incidents that could potentially harm the institution's people, campus, and/or brand—help set and execute the strategy to communicate with both internal and external stakeholders.

Support strategic internal communications designed to aid change management and cultivate community engagement. Provide the internal Babson community with messaging points and needed marketing materials.

Assume additional responsibilities as required.

Supervises:

Director, Public Relations Manager, Communications

Education Requirements:

Minimum Level of Education Required MBA or equivalent combination of education and experience

Position Knowledge/Skills & Abilities Requirements:

At least 10 years of professional marketing/communication experience.

Excellent interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills.

Ability to balance strategic goals and tactical requirements.

Ability to work effectively within a matrix organization.

Ability to handle multiple projects with frequent deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

Superior writing and editing skills and the ability to craft and articulate messages for a wide range of audiences.

Creates an environment where direct reports have the freedom and security to take initiative; deals with complexities with resilience, resourcefulness, and optimism; and appreciates open mindedness, creativity, and agility in thought and tactics.

Embraces ideas and changes created by all community members.

Works independently to solve problems; looks for opportunities to take on responsibility; takes thoughtful risks; and effectively acts on new and ongoing initiatives, objectives, and solutions to gain sought-after results.

Anticipates and effectively handles change; demonstrates willingness to try new skills and challenging tasks; and is flexible in changing conditions.

Education Requirements:Minimum Level of Education Required MBA or equivalent combination of education and experiencePosition Knowledge/Skills & Abilities Requirements:• At least 10 years of professional marketing/communication experience.• Excellent interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills.• Ability to balance strategic goals and tactical requirements.• Ability to work effectively within a matrix organization.• Ability to handle multiple projects with frequent deadlines in a fast-paced environment.• Strong team and relationship building skills.• Comfortable dealing with all levels of management and staff.• Experience in reputation and crisis communication management.• Experience developing and implementing successful media relations and strategic communications plans for a complex organization.• Superior writing and editing skills and the ability to craft and articulate messages for a wide range of audiences.• Creates an environment where direct reports have the freedom and security to take initiative; deals with complexities with resilience, resourcefulness, and optimism; and appreciates open mindedness, creativity, and agility in thought and tactics. • Embraces ideas and changes created by all community members. • Works independently to solve problems; looks for opportunities to take on responsibility; takes thoughtful risks; and effectively acts on new and ongoing initiatives, objectives, and solutions to gain sought-after results.• Anticipates and effectively handles change; demonstrates willingness to try new skills and challenging tasks; and is flexible in changing conditions.

We are an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity,national origin, disability, veteran status,or any otherprotected characteristic. The EEO is the Law poster is available here. Babson College is committed to enhancing diversity and inclusion across all levels of the College. Candidates who believe they can contribute to this value are strongly encouraged to apply.